Tennis ball retrieving device

Abstract

The present invention 10 discloses a tennis ball retrieving apparatus wherein the tennis balls 16 roll into the gutter portion 18 of the device and an electronically controlled and powered paddle 24 moves them into a ball conveyor system 26 that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper 20 . The gutter portion consists of three sections and are connected to each other by pins. A front ball stationary plate 30 which does not rotate with the conveyor wheel 54 prevents the tennis balls 16 from falling out the front side of the conveyor wheel 54 until the wheel rotates clockwise and brings the ball upward to an opening within the rear stationary plate 31 where the ball is free to fall into the ball hopper chute 32 and into the hopper 20 . A digital sensor triggers the digital ball counter 34 to count the balls as they pass through the opening. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the balls 16 move through the gutter 18 via gravity.

What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters patent is set forth in the appended claims.  
     
       1. An apparatus for collecting, counting and storing tennis balls for use in conjunction with a tennis court, comprising: 
       a) means for a gutter disposed across the end of the tennis court whereby the balls are collected therein, said means for a gutter having a first and a second end;  
       b) means for moving balls through said means for a gutter whereby the balls are moved from said first end to said second end of said means for a gutter;  
       c) a ball hopper disposed on said second end of said means for a gutter;  
       d) means for a ball conveyor system disposed on said second end of said means for a gutter whereby the balls are conveyed from said means for a gutter to a means for a chute; and,  
       e) means for a chute whereby balls are conveyed by gravity to said ball hopper from said means for a ball conveyor system, wherein said means for a gutter comprises:  
       1) a plurality of sections of gutter;  
       2) means for joining said sections together;  
       3) a plurality of elastic cords joining the ends of said sections together to permit the sections to be stored;  
       4) a track to assist in operating said means for moving balls through said gutter, said track being longitudinally disposed along said gutter; and,  
       5) a lip disposed on said gutter to permit the balls to be retained in said gutter.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for joining said sections together further comprise said gutter section ends having a plurality of holes therein, further said gutter section ends having a plurality of pins disposed thereon, said holes for receiving said pins to permit said sections to be joined together. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said means for moving balls through said means for a gutter comprises: 
       a) a paddle disposed in said gutter wherein said paddle pushes the balls through said gutter, said paddle having a paddle guide thereon which guide moves within said track of said gutter;  
       b) a linear motor disposed within said gutter to permit said paddle to be moved along said gutter; and,  
       c) a control for said linear motor to permit the controlled operation of said linear motor.  
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said control for said linear motor further comprises a track adapter to permit connection to said track, a battery power supply, an AC/DC adapter to permit an AC power supply, a timer to permit selective operation of said linear motor, and a power on/off switch to permit control of said linear motor. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said means for a ball conveyor system comprises: 
       a) a conveyor wheel, said conveyor wheel having a plurality of cavities therein, said cavities each for receiving a tennis ball, said wheel having a front and rear side;  
       b) a conveyor motor for rotating said conveyor wheel;  
       c) a control for said conveyor motor;  
       d) means for a front stationary plate disposed on said front of said conveyor wheel whereby balls are maintained within the ball cavities as the ball cavities are rotated toward the means for a chute; and,  
       e) means for a rear stationary plate disposed on said rear of said conveyor wheel whereby balls are maintained within the ball cavities as the cavities are rotated toward the means for a chute.  
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said conveyor wheel is generally upright standing, wherein said wheel turns clockwise, wherein said wheel rotates in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of said gutter, wherein said wheel turns about a central shaft disposed therein, said shaft being connected to said conveyor motor. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said means for a front stationary plate comprises a front plate which covers about one-half of the face of said conveyor wheel. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said means for a rear stationary plate comprises a rear plate having a hole therein. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said control for said conveyor motor further comprises a digital display to permit an indication of the number of balls conveyed, a battery power supply, an AC/DC adapter to permit an AC power supply, an AC/DC switch to permit a selection of either a battery or AC power supply, a timer to permit selective operation of said conveyor motor, and a power on/off switch to permit control of said conveyor motor. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for a chute comprises a chute extending from said hole in said rear stationary plate to said ball hopper to permit a tennis ball to pass therethrough. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a paddle guide sensor disposed on said second end of said gutter to permit the paddle to be sensed and reversed back to the first end of the gutter in order to repeat the operation of the paddle. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a ball sensor disposed in the hole of said rear stationary plate to permit the ball to be sensed and counted by the digital display on the conveyor motor. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said first end of said gutter is higher than said second end to permit gravity to move the tennis balls from said first end to said second end of said gutter.